Greetings from New York

I've been on this forum for a little over a month now, but thought I'd just drop by and say a few words.

I am 21 years old, and am from downstate NY (Binghamton, NY - about 30 miles from the PA border).

Currently, I am looking into 2 private schools: one school, however, stands out the most, to me. I have been, also, studying for my permit test, along with all of the other endorsement tests. I plan on taking the tanker, HAZMAT, doubles/triples, and the metal coil endorsement tests. Yes, NYS is the only state who enforces the metal coils test. Also, NYS is one of few states who has their own HAZMAT program as well. These are two of the many wonderful things about NY, ha ha! To continue, I plan to get my passport and passport card, along with the TWIC card. I am trying to set myself up for success in this industry because you just never know what job opportunities will come along.

This is one of the major problems that I am facing with my residency in NY, other than ridiculously high taxes, and outrageous laws: hiring area. Most companies that I have looked into have said that I am not in their hiring area; I think about 2 companies have said that they can make an exception, due to how close I live to the border. Once I get my trucking career rolling, I will be looking to relocate to an area in either the south, or the west. I am uncertain as of right now, but I still have some time!

My interests in trucking include both flatbed and tanker. Seeming how a majority of the companies that hire recent CDL graduates age requirements are between that of 23-25 years old, I face that problem (seeming how I am only 21 years of age). I like to look at this as adversity, which makes me want to become a trucker that much more! Going back to my interests: in flatbed, I am interested in gaining the knowledge and experience needed, and I wish to go down the route of heavy hauling and/or hauling agricultural equipment. In tanker, I have aspirations of transporting Hazardous Materials, or gasoline someday. Unfortunately, I've got to wait to do most of that stuff, but that only gives me time to better myself in this industry.

I understand that this industry isn't - lack for better words - peaches and cream nor roses. I do not fully understand them, as I am not a trucker yet, but I thought I'd just clarify that my perception of this industry isn't twisted in thinking that I'm gunna be a tourist and making bank. I understand that the learning part will never halt, which I could not be any more thankful for!

I always thought trucking was difficult, up until I started studying for it (permit/endorsement tests); well, I am now awake, so to say. There is a wealth of information that is needed to know and some of it is difficult, seeming how I have never had to deal with these certain things before in my life. Along with the challenges of being 21 years old and my residency being in NY, this only increases my hunger and want for becoming a trucker; simply, I cannot wait to become one! I believe that my personality and normal lifestyle almost fit it to a "T."

These are 2 companies that I am highly looking into as a "starter company:"

1. Melton Truck Lines

2. Schneider Bulk

....Melton is my number one company, followed by Schneider Bulk. Yes, there are other companies on my list (Swift, Werner, US Xpress don't even make it on there), but they are just in case I - for some reason - do not get hired by Melton or Schneider. I aspire to stay with my starter company for at least 1 year, but hopefully longer. I do not wish to make either of them a permanent job, but who knows. There are a few companies that I have my eyes on for when I become the right age (ie. Superior Carriers is big right now). If I was at least 23 years old and within the hiring area for Superior Carriers, that would be my company: unfortunately, as noted above, I am not.

I have been doing a lot of research on private CDL schools in my area, trucking companies (both for now and in the future), looking for areas of relocation, and studying. I believe that all of them have gone well, and I do not see them changing anytime in the future.

Well, that's enough for now. If you have any questions or feel like you want to add anything, please, feel free to do so.

Everyone: be safe out there, and take care! Sometime here soon, I hope to be on the road with y'all!